Finally - a ride

[Veronica]

I finally got a chance to do a decent ride outside today between rainstorms. 36 miles, 60 degrees, wind blowing 10 - 15 knots according to the radar. Great when it's a tailwind. Alas, most of this ride is into the wind. I don't typically ride down in the drops, but it was required today! It's a nice ride - out to our local reservoir through some farm country. Very quiet and very little traffic.

Veronica

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by Veronica
Great when it's a tailwind. Alas, most of this ride is into the wind.

Why is it always like that? Sometimes you go out into a head wind and you're looking forward to that gentle push from behind on the way home. But the wind shifts and you're into the wind on the return!!

[Veronica]

I just keep thinking how much stronger it is going to make me. Yeah right. It's once again pouring, so I'm glad I went while I had the chance.

V.

[pedalfaster]

Thanks for the inspiration

I went for my first ride of the year today .
It was grey and low-40s, snow still on the ground, when I started out and I wasn't super-motivated to ride. I was supposed to meet two friends, but missed them. I almost turned around...but I remembered your comment " I was glad I went when I had the chance".

Gotta love spring in the midwest: the spray of snow-melt up your back, deep sand in the corners, potholes, and slushy patches that catch you by surprise. I just pretended I was a pro braving Paris-Roubaix.

By the end of the ride I was covered in mud and grime...but the sun was peeking out and the temp was holding at a balmy 52F.

More snow and rain in the forecast for us this weekend...so I'm glad I went when I had the chance too!

[Veronica]

Happy to help!

[adkoch]

I also had my first ride of the season. Low 40s and overcast. Absolutely perfect! I commuted home from work and did not plan for the asphalt trails to still be covered in slushiness. Needless to say, I escaped many near misses, but will have a pretty healthy bruise on my upper thigh from the one spill. I can't believe I have ever been thankful for saddlebags! It can only get better from here, now that I've been out!

~Angie

[RdDezert]

Whooo hooo yes! I took my chance yesterday (2/18) to ride. I'm so glad I did too, wind advisory today. I had just enough light to get in 20 miles and temps were good (for me, cold temp wimp). Whatta great feeling getting outta spin class!

[annie]

I'm jealous of you all! I've been out once in Feb. but it was COLD! I am hoping for a ride on Sunday........ :::::fingers crossed for decent temps:::::::

[Veronica]

Angie and Pedalfaster,

Will your bikes take fenders? They will help keep you a little bit drier.

Veronica

[annie]

Finally, finally got outside for a good ride! Not sure what the temp was, but the sun was shining, the snow is mostly melted and it had to be at least 45. It was awesome! I rode about 30 miles. Climbed up out of a valley at one point in the ride; the whole way up there was a small stream of snowmelt from the hillsides on either side running along the ditch on the side of the road, gurgling and foaming. It almost looked like it was as glad to be free from the freezing cold as I was. I think I was smiling the whole way up. Just loved it! Didn't even mind the headwind on the way home. At least it wasn't TOO cold and I was on a moving bicycle, not a spin bike. Thanks for letting me share here. My beloved family just doesn' understand!

[pedalfaster]

Nope, no fenders will fit on the roadie. She's a racer at heart. Since I also mtb I'm pretty much ok with being covered with mud anyhow.

Annie---great to hear about your ride!!!